Peter Claver

Bartolomé Maura (1887) (link)

Feast Day September 9

Patron of African Missions, Slaves, Race Relations, Colombia

Situations Missionary Work, Racial Justice, Slavery

Professions Missionaries, Social Workers

Saint Peter Claver was a Spanish Jesuit priest who dedicated his life to serving enslaved Africans in Cartagena, Colombia. Born in 1580, he declared himself “the slave of the slaves forever.” For over 40 years, he met every slave ship, brought food, medicine, and comfort, and baptized an estimated 300,000 people.